JUNE 10, 1999

Search for top starter could break Hart

It can be funny sometimes to listen to sports call-in shows, especially those in markets where the team is extraordinarily good.

Take Cleveland for instance.

Considering the Indians usually have the Central Division wrapped up by the time pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the topics of conversation must be stretched a bit.

Rather than discussing the intricacies of a pennant race, Indians fans must resort to swapping trading tactics, specifically the kind that assume Mickey Mouse is the general manager of the opposing team.

Joe Indians Fan, usually after a couple of beers, will call in and wonder why John Hart can't acquire Randy Johnson for four minor leaguers, a bag of baseballs and box of condiments to be named later.

It seems like, to a head, Indians fans can't cope with the fact that Hart has not reeled in a No. 1 starter.

Deal with it, because it won't likely happen.

For years, the lack of "true No. 1 starter" has been seen as the problem of the Indians. But is it really a problem? In 1997 the Indians were two outs from winning the World Series, without the help of an "ace."

And where are the Indians going to scare up this guy, anyway? Front-of-the-rotation starters do not exactly grow on trees.

In fact, by my count, there are exactly nine of these guys alive: Mike Mussina, Pedro Martinez, David Cone, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Kevin Brown and Curt Schilling.

No more, no less. This is it folks. These guys are the only true "No. 1" starters out there. They are the only ones consistent enough over at least a five-year span worthy of the honor. And they are the only pitchers who would be a definite No. 1 on any team in baseball (the Braves' guys are exceptions, obviously).

David Wells has been too inconsistent, and upstarts like Kent Bottenfield and Jose Lima aren't proven over the long haul.

So, who is John Hart to go after?

If anyone thinks Mussina, Martinez, Cone, Johnson, Maddux, Smoltz, Glavine and Brown are going anywhere, then please, let's talk business together.

That leaves Schilling. He seems to be the only viable option, if he's even viable. As long as the Phillies stay in the Wild Card race, Schilling isn't going anywhere.

That basically leaves one option for the Indians &emdash; hope the Phillies stumble, and then pay a hefty price.

The hefty price has always been a sticking point. Hart is leary of trading away all his minor league talent. But hasn't that already happened? You could field a pretty darn good team with all the former Indians floating around baseball.

Specifically, guys like Sean Casey and Jeromy Burnitz, have been dealt with only Dave Burba to show. Burba's done a fine job, but he's not the ace Hart is looking for

Brian Giles, Jeff Kent, David Bell, Jay Bell ... well, you get the point. There's always offensive talent around; it comes and goes.

It's why Richie Sexson is expendable. Outfielders that hit .275, 25 homers and drive in 75 runs are average players nowadays.

If Schilling is the prize, then Sexson, at least, will probably be the price. And that is a deal too good to pass. Guys like Sexson are a dime a dozen. Schilling is in a class with only eight others.

So there's the deal Tribe fans. It's Sexson for Schilling, providing the Phillies will even bite.

Anything else and you're looking at fool's gold.

Dave Feltner is the A-T sports editor